Springfield, IL (August 16, 2013)-The 20th running of the Sportsman Nationals event at the Illinois State Far returns to its roots this weekend as two days of competition are scheduled for the UMP Sportsman on the Springfield Mile. Midwest stock car drivers once again get their sot in what has been labeled the “Daytona 50” of sportsman racing and the last 20 years have seen great competition and emotional fan favorites visit Springfield’s legendary victory lane.
In 2012 Flanagan’s Ben Hulse led 18 of the 20 laps enroute to his first Sportsman victory after several years of attempts at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. He came out the winner in a battle with three time winner Steve Sheppard of New Berlin who took the lead momentarily from Hulse on lap 13 but gave up the lead slot on the 15th circuit.
Wes O’Dell of Springfield, a five time winner f the event and the only driver to start all 19 races to date finished fourth and was in the hunt for a sixth win. The other five time winner, Dennis Vandermeersch finished ninth. Former winner Tim Dick of Monticello was also in the 31 car field and he finished fifth.
A large contingent of central Illinois drivers from Macon, Lincoln, Jacksonville and Fairbury are expected as well as drivers from other parts of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin. Heat races take place on Saturday before the 52nd Tony Bettenhausen 100 while the 20-mile main event is Sunday right before the 51st Allen Crowe 100.